Locker makes crimson connection

BARRY BOLTON

04/19/2005

ONE OF THE top recruits in the state of Washington -- Ferndale's Jake Locker -- was in Pullman for the WSU junior day this weekend . The All-state performer had a jammed-packed travel weekend, visiting two schools in two states over two days. The weekend shuffled his leaders list.

The highly sought quarterback and WSU coach Timm Rosenbach hit it off this weekend on Locker's trip to Pullman.

"It was nice to be able to visit with the coaches," said Locker (6-2, 210). "I spent quite a bit of time with coach Rosenbach and he was awesome. I really liked him. So it was a good time."

Headed into the weekend, Locker had the UW slightly ahead of Washington State, Oregon, Cal and Oregon State, saying the UW was the only school he had a chance to visit as of yet. His trip to Washington State -- and his trip to Oregon -- changed things up a bit. But neither visit was enough to make WSU or UO his new leader.

"Everybody is now pretty even," said Locker. "Its just a matter of being able to go and look at each one. Its going to be a very tough decision when it comes time. Being able to go out and meet the coaches and check out everything makes it a lot different."

Before heading to the Palouse, Locker was down in the Beaver state on Friday. He had planned on traveling to both the campuses at Oregon State and UO but the way the weekend unfolded, he only was able to visit Eugene. He came away impressed with the faculties.

"The coaches were all really nice and the facilities were amazing," said Locker.

Of his Washington State junior day experience, Locker said the time spent with the coaches, the spring game and the campus at WSU were among the highlights that stood out for him.

"It was very good," he said. "I liked it a lot."

Locker is also a top baseball prospect and plans on choosing between the two sports later this summer. If it's football, he wants to have the decision made on where he'll be headed to college before his senior season begins.

"Over these next couple months, it will just be who I start to feel really comfortable with -- who I want to spend the majority of the next four years of my life around," he said.

Locker, a very strong Christian, said his trips will play a big role -- visiting with the coaches and taking in the campus environment will be important in helping him make the call.

ALTHOUGH LOCKER ALSO seemingly has the skills to play defensive back at the next level, virtually every school is recruiting him to run the show on offense, including Washington State. Athleticism and arm strength set him apart as his ability to accurately throw on the move or wing it deep is uncommon.

Over his high school career, Locker has made a habit of making plays with both his arm and his feet -- as well as his football savvy. In a run-oriented offense, he threw for 1,314 yards and 16 TDs, while rushing for another 987 yards and 15 scores in 2004. He had a hand in all Ferndale's scoring in the state 3A title game against Bellevue, running for over 150 yards and 3 TDs -- while passing for another score in a thrilling 31-28 setback to the Wolverines.

Academically, Locker carries a 3.8 GPA. He is considering a major in Architecture or possibly Communication.